Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

Chapter 0606

I quickly got ready and waited for Nicholas to pick me up. He had called earlier, saying he'd wrapped up work early. He asked if I wanted to join him to pick up Tabitha from school.

I immediately caught the hopeful tone in his voice but still turned him down.

Lately, Nicholas had been eager to take me and Tabitha out. He wanted to go for a walk, visit random places, and have fun.

I wasn't sure if he was trying to make up for something or if he simply wanted the feeling of having his wife and child around.

But Tabitha's health wasn't in a state to be out in crowded places, and I didn't want to go out with him alone. So I refused every time.

I didn't want to be involved with Nicholas anymore. I didn't want any of us to make the headlines again, becoming a scar in each other's hearts.

Eventually, I'd leave with Tabitha. When that time came, I hoped to slip away quietly, not with the chaos that once surrounded us. The fewer traces I left behind, the better.

Nicholas obviously didn't know my worries. He didn't address my refusal and said, "Aren't we taking Tabitha to the hospital tomorrow? We can go to her school together and talk to the teacher about her condition. If the doctor asks anything, as parents, we shouldn't be clueless.

Thesitated for a moment, thinking of a dozen excuses. I could say I had something to handle, but Yasmine's matter didn't seem urgent enough to be an excuse.

Besides, if I said I had something to deal with, Nicholas would definitely ask for details, digging until he got to the bottom of it.

In the past week, Jones Corporation had secured more big projects than in the last three months combined. Everything was going too smoothly, almost unnaturally so.

Douglas told me that although Nicholas hadn't made a public appearance, he had already given his approval behind the scenes. All of Jones Corporation's business activities in the capital were greenlit.

No one could figure out my relationship with Nicholas now, and no one dared to cross us. If I told Nicholas I had pressing matters, it would undermine his efforts. He would not let it go.

After thinking it through, I realized there was nothing he couldn't handle, and no excuse that could be more important than Tabitha.

Two hours later, the front door swung open abruptly. Nicholas strode in quickly.

When he saw me, I was the only one in his eyes. "Ariana, have you been waiting long?"

"No..." I shook my head, glancing at the clock on the wall. "How are you here so early?"

It wasn't even time for Tabitha to finish school yet. I'd been lounging on the couch, drowsy, not even hearing his car approach.

"I rearranged my meetings, shortened them. I wanted to come home earlier."

His dark eyes were brighter than the sunlight outside, filled with a warmth that made it hard to refuse. He stood right in front of me, just a few inches away, and gave me a gentleman's bow.

"May I invite you to have afternoon tea with me? I had my secretary book a place. The atmosphere is very serene. I'm sure you'll like it!"

As he bowed, he smoothly took my hand, gently squeezing it twice before resting it on his chest.

The strong beat of his heart under my palm immediately pulled up familiar memories. The pain made me quickly pull my hand back, so suddenly that even Nicholas was startled.

Tabitha isn't home. You don't need to do this," I said, turning my face away to avoid his gaze. His attempt at a casual excuse-afternoon tea-only made me more uncomfortable. He wasn't the type to enjoy tea or care about a restaurant's ambiance.

I didn't need him going out of his way for me.

In my mind, he was supposed to be reserved, someone whose thoughts I had to decipher. Even if he professed his love, I couldn't bring myself to trust him entirely.

He was now so straightforward. He had been openly telling me that he was putting in effort for my sake, showing his care for me. It made me feel like I was under attack, my nerves stretched taut.

"No need, I already had lunch," I coldly rejected him.